Congratulations! You made it! You survived and excelled in your student teaching. You are now a science teacher! If you would, take a few minutes to share your wisdom about how to negotiate this difficult year with the students who are following in your footsteps by answering the following questions.
a. What are some things students should do in their fall practicum to make their student teaching go more smoothly?
When student teaching you should be prepared with your lessons (as seminar requires), have a back-up plan, and another back-up plan.
Staying organized is a must.
I would have done an "icebreaker" activity before hand to get to know the students.
In the fall, when I observed, I would have focused more on the class environment and student needs rather than the lesson planning. Although I did not ignore it, I was nervous and wanted to make sure I was prepared. Knowing your students is probably as important as teaching your lessons.
Also, it would not have hurt if I had started putting together my wadrobe in the fall. Maybe one outfit every week or two would have helped ease my mind.
b. What 430 topics/assignments should students make sure are addressed in detail to prepare them for student teaching?
For me, anticipating the "Learning from Assessment" activity would have helped me plan. I could have been thinking of different ideas for inquiry and different ways to assess students in advance.
I suggest having your own grading program before you start.
c. Help the next group of science education student teachers by completing the thought: "If I knew in September what I know now, I could have been better prepared for student teaching if I had ...."
...not had to work.
...expected the humor of the teenagers.
...not been so shy at first.
d. Are there other words of wisdom/encouragement that you want to share?
Always keep extra copies of everything, you never know when you will need them. You never know what could happen. I have found that with excessive absenteeism and suspensions you may need to have work ready for students at any time.
Bring an extra pair of shoes with you just in case!!!!!! Be prepared, be positive, be responsible.
a. What are some things students should do in their fall practicum to make their student teaching go more smoothly?
b. What 430 topics/assignments should students make sure are addressed in detail to prepare them for student teaching?
c. Help the next group of science education student teachers by completing the thought: "If I knew in September what I know now, I could have been better prepared for student teaching if I had ...."
- ...not had to work.
- ...expected the humor of the teenagers.
- ...not been so shy at first.
d. Are there other words of wisdom/encouragement that you want to share?